Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse survived another heart-stopper on Monday night. For the fifth straight time, the conclusion of a Syracuse basketball game was determined in the final few seconds. The Orange defeated Maryland 57-55. A disputed late-game call again factored into the equation.

SU's last five games have been decided by a total of 14 tense points. SU was 3-2 in those contests. That the Orange has played a series of close games is not news to Syracuse fans that sweat the outcomes.

But how unusual is this season of close calls?

Last night's Maryland game prompted a reach for the SU record book. The Orange has already played eight games decided by five or fewer points this season. SU is 7-1 in those games.

In the last five years, SU is 32-10 in games decided by five or fewer points. Here's a rundown of the last five Orange seasons (first figure is won-loss in games decided by 5 or fewer points, second is record that season):

2013-14: 7-1, 26-2

2012-13: 8-4, 30-10

2011-12: 7-1, 34-3

2010-11: 5-3, 27-8

2009-10: 5-1, 30-5

The most dominant team of the past five seasons was the 2009-10 squad, which outscored opponents by an average of 14.5 points per game. That team's only loss in games decided by five or fewer points came in the Sweet 16, when Butler sent an Arinze Onuaku-less Syracuse team home in the NCAA Tournament. The 2009-10 team averaged more points (80.9) by far than any other Orange team during the last five years.